LTO to Tap MMDA Traffic Cameras to Go After Erring Motorists
The Land Transportation Office plans to use videos recorded by CCTV network
of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to go after motorists
violating traffic regulations in National Capital Region.
According to news reports, under an agreement MMDA will forward videos of
traffic violations to the LTO with details of the date and time of the
violations as well as the license plates of the vehicles recorded.
An ABS-CBN report quoted LTO Chief Vigor Mendoza II as saying: "The cameras
installed by MMDA are being use to monitor traffic situation, especially in
major thoroughfares in Metro Manila. We might as well use them to run after
erring motorist who would openly defy traffic safety rules."
Mendoza said the video recordings would be used as basis for show-cause
orders to be sent to the erring motorists.
Before the NCAP was ordered suspended by the courts, the MMDA and other
LGUs used CCTV recordings to immediately cite and fine erring motorists for
traffic violations.
The difference this time may be that LTO will be issuing a show-cause order
to explain and perhaps contest possible violations instead of outright
citations as with the NCAP. There is already precedent for this. The LTO
has lately been quick to investigate and issue show cause orders to
registered owners of vehicles involved in violations or incidents that went
viral on social media.